This session examines the theory and practice of running archaeological projects to aid those suffering from trauma in their recovery. Focusing on, but not exclusively, the role that archaeology has and is playing with the recovery of those who have served in the armed forces, the session will highlight how this area has progressed over the last 12 years or so, using examples from the UK (for instance, Operation Nightingale) as well as from abroad, such as Waterloo Uncovered.
Speakers with a wide knowledge of running projects that assist those who have suffered from trauma, especially on the battlefield, will be sharing their experiences with those who wish to run similar projects. Integral to this will be the need to evaluate what we do and how we do it, so that we can reach a consensus on what constitutes best practice in this important area and better understand what works well for all those involved.
Is it time for a recognised ‘heritage therapy’ to emerge? And if so, what evidence do we need to collect and scrutinise to make this happen? It strikes us that this is only the beginning of an exciting new role for archaeology in the service of the wider community and the health of its members, but one that also requires a properly considered body of evidence if it is to obtain recognition by mental health practitioners.
In keeping with the theme of this year’s TAG (Evolution?), this session will discuss how the profession of archaeology itself is changing and in the process developing new ways in which to enrich society that even only 20 years ago were not considered.
2:00pm | Broken Pots, Mending lives: Archaeology and recovery for service personnel | Richard Osgood
2:40pm | Excavating the past and (re)finding myself: Exploring the therapeutic potential of archaeology with Veterans and Providers | Karen Burnell, Paul Everill
3:25pm | Methodology used to create a Questionnaire for Ukrainian military personnel within the ‘Spiritual Revival by Culture’ Rehabilitation Program in the National Preserve ‘Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra’ (2023-2024) | Maksym Ostapenko, Sergiy Taranenko, Ihor Tereshchenko & Oleh Topylko
3:45pm | Archaeology as part of the ‘Spiritual Revival by Culture’ Rehabilitation Program in the National Preserve ‘Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra’: Reality and Prospects” | Sergiy Taranenko
4:05pm | Plenary session |
Full paper abstracts available here: https://tag2024.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/tag-2024-session-abstracts-1.pdf
